60 establishments tagged for building code violation

CEBU, Philippines — The City’s Office of the Building Official (OBO) yesterday served 60 notices on various violations of the National Building Code against several establishments in the mountain barangays of Cebu City.

Architect Florante Catalan, OBO head, lead the day-long inspection that began at 8 a.m. of establishments from Brgy. Busay to Brgy. Tabunan.

In his assessment, Catalan said there were several illegal structures that may have gone unnoticed due to the sites' distance from the Cebu City Hall.

“Maybe ilang pagtuo, dili na sila maabot. Maong kita nalang ang niadto aron ma-check nato ang area kung naa ba sila (permits),” said Catalan.

During the inspection, the OBO was divided into four teams, which learned that Building Code violations are rampant, like, for example, business establishments operating without an occupancy permit.

As of 2 P.M. yesterday, Catalan said they had already served a total of 60 notices of violations out of 100 that they have targeted.

These notices include violations like illegal construction, work stoppage, violations of using the structure without an occupancy permit, and Notice on Non-posting of Certificate of Occupancy.

These violations carry with them fines that range from P5,000 to P10,000.

“Ang atoang nakita more on commercial establishments, daghan kaayong mga business sa mountain barangays nga without man gani securing building permit or occupancy permit,” said Catalan.

He said it is important that the building permit is acquired first before starting any construction.

“Karon di pa ta kabalo kay wala lagi sila na- inform sa office, wala sila nag-apply for permits,” said Catalan.

He said those who received notices would have to apply for the required permits to correct the violation.

During the inspection, it was also found out that the barangay hall of Malubog does not have a building permit. The barangay was told to pay the P10,000 fine.

Catalan said this shows that for the City Government no one is exempted from complying with the National Building Code.

He said that securing of permits in the Cebu City Government has been made easy through their online system.

“Less than an hour mahatag na nato sa inyoha ang permit. Ang nakaapan lang is siguro ilang hunahuna layo na kaayo sa City Hall di na kaayo maabtan diri. So, naa ra gihapon ang City Hall nga nagtan-aw,” Catalan said.

He said that those who were issued with a notice would have to get the required permits as soon as possible as failure to do so may result to the City Legal Office filing complaints against them. — (FREEMAN)